Category: Construction

How Are Safety, Online Learning, and Tech Shaping New York’s Construction Industry? Six Surprising Connections – The Times Square Chronicles

The Law Offices of John Caravella, P.C does not own this content. This content was created and published by the Times Square Chronicles. To view the full article, please click here. 

As New York’s construction sites rise high and reach wide, there’s an equally expansive commitment to safety. Technology and online learning are at the forefront of this evolution, reshaping how the industry ensures worker safety and keeps up with ever-changing regulations. The marriage of safety protocols, online training courses, and tech advancements is giving construction companies new tools to protect workers and avoid costly mistakes. Let’s discover the ways that safety, online classes, and technology intersect in the construction world.

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The Risks of Hiring Non-Local Subcontractors or Suppliers

Hiring a non-local subcontractor can lead to unanticipated issues for a contractor that otherwise could have been avoided if a local sub or supplier were hired instead.  Additionally, events that would ordinarily not seem to be an issue when using a local subcontractor, such as arranging an in-person meeting, have the potential to become much more complicated when trying to coordinate with an non-local subcontractor or supplier.  Keep reading for some important risks that homeowners and contractors should be aware of if contemplating hiring a non-local subcontractor or supplier.

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Punitive Damages Claims in New York Construction Contract Disputes

One topic that came up in my practice recently was a contractor’s potential exposure to liability for punitive damages under New York law. As the name suggests, punitive damages are awarded above and beyond their contract or property damages, ‘where the wrong done was aggravated by circumstances of violence, oppression, malice, fraud, … on the part of the defendant, and are intended to address the plaintiff’s mental anguish or other aggravation, to punish the defendant for its behavior.’ Black’s Law Dictionary 390 (6th Ed. 1991).

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Recent New York Litigation Highlights Increasing Risks to Contractors

Construction contracts require contractors and subcontractors to carry commercial general liability, or CGL, insurance and to name not only the contracting parties but additional third parties, such as project owners, as additional insured. Recent commercial general liability litigation, however, suggests that contractors and subcontractors should review the language of their CGL policies carefully because third parties to the contract, even if they are contractually required to be additionally insured, may actually be excluded by the insurance policies.

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Construction Industry Challenges in Wage and Labor Violations

The minimum wage and overtime provisions under federal and New York law affect all employers, but contractors are further subject to an additional, unique wage scheme in the form of prevailing wages. To learn more, please download our complimentary article regarding New York Employment and Wage Law. Continue reading “Construction Industry Challenges in Wage and Labor Violations”

When is Lawyer Representation Truly Necessary?

Are you about to start a construction project and wondering whether hiring a Construction Lawyer is a necessary expense to add to your budget?  Wondering whether lawyers are recommended on large projects from start to finish or should lawyers be on the back burner until called upon?  Hiring a Construction Lawyer prior to beginning a construction project may become essential to protecting your rights, assets, and property, if (or when) faced with a defective construction project, an absent construction crew, or even a non-paying property owner.

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Building Deconstruction, Reuse Would Benefit NYS Jobs and Climate – Cornell Chronicle

The Law Offices of John Caravella, P.C. does not own this content. This content was created by the Cornell Chronicle (James Dean), and was published on October 3rd, 2024. To view the full article, please click here. 

Shifting from wasteful demolition practices to a circular construction economy in New York state could unlock unrealized economic activity, create thousands of green jobs and advance ambitious climate goals – while reducing pressure on landfills, Cornell experts report in a new white paper that aims to inform proposed state legislation.

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Construction Law 101

Law has an impact on almost all aspects of life, from personal injury, family disputes, and real estate.  Construction Law in particular has a far-reaching effect on many people’s lives without them even realizing.  To begin with, Construction Law is made up of a broad subset of legal fields, including areas such as contract law, real estate law, administrative law, environmental law, regulatory, and insurance.  Construction Law is a segment of law that works with specific industries such as construction, architecture, engineering, and more.  Under the construction law umbrella, many construction issues consist of contract creation and negotiation, sureties and bonds, construction claims and defects, employment laws, and even business tune-ups.  Within this article, we will specify the areas that are most common in the construction law segment, along with special areas you might not have thought of.

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Homeowner Court Ruling Serves as a Reminder to New York Contractors

A recent ruling issued by the Supreme Court, County of Nassau, serves as a reminder to New York contractors performing residential work of the importance and necessity in having a home improvement license if you need legal action to pursue payment on the project.

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The Evolution of Head Protection: Safety Helmets vs. Hard Hats

The Law Offices of John Caravella, P.C. does not own this content. This content was created by the Malta Dynamics, and was published to ConstructionDive.

In the fast-paced world of construction and industrial work, the importance of head protection cannot be overstated. Over the last five years, the demand for safety helmets and hard hats has escalated. With contractors now mandating the use of these protective gears, the safety landscape is undergoing a significant transformation. Malta Dynamics, a reputable manufacturer of safety products since 2015, is committed to creating a product that not only enhances protection but also meets budget constraints reflects the growing emphasis on worker safety.

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